A friend recently shared with me how extremely upset he is because family dinners, gatherings and social outings are no longer joyous occasions where relatives interact, share laughter, experiences and express love. Rather the youth sit motionless, glued to their smartphones, utterly disconnected from family activities. These changes are especially unnerving for my friend because family is the top priority in his country of origin.

As a teacher, I feel dismayed, even complicit, in fostering and developing this insidious, high-tech obsession. Instead of exuberance and joyous interaction on playgrounds, at lunch tables and social gatherings, there is an eerie silence — kids are mesmerized, paralytically — attached to their high-tech devices. I find this both unhealthy and alarming.

When the devices are used to play games, the American Psychiatric Association diagnostic manual labels the phenomenon "internet gaming disorder;" elsewhere it is referred to as "digital heroin addiction." It is no wonder that we now hear of people being treated for this addiction by going "unplugged."

I hope I have given a voice to this concern. Alas, I think many of us share this fear.

Vince Dacquisto

Niskayuna